Actemra Infusion vs Injection: Choosing the Right One
Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Wed Aug 02 2023)
If you’re a sufferer of rheumatoid arthritis or similar ailments, then exploring a number of medicines and treatments can be overwhelming. One common question is regarding Actemra infusion vs injection.
As pharmaceutical experts in the supply of Actemra, this is the question we’re tackling in this article. Here’s the quick summary answer, and then we’ll get into more detail.
The form of Actemra you opt for is likely to be based on regimen, effectiveness, and duration of treatment, along with mobility issues and the ability of the patient to manage their own treatment or not. This is also coupled with the advice and experience of your healthcare provider
So that’s the quick answer, but let’s dive into more details…
What is Actemra?
Actemra (tocilizumab) is a biological medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
It’s a monoclonal antibody that works by targeting and blocking the activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a protein that plays a role in inflammation.
Actemra is available in two forms
You can obtain Actemra as an injection, and/or an infusion.
Both forms of medication have been shown to be effective in treating the conditions for which they are approved.
But there are some differences between the two that may make one form a better option for certain individuals. That’s what we’ll explore further here so you can get an understanding of which suits you best Actemra Infusion vs Injection.
To better understand which option is right for you, it’s worth knowing how each is administered. If you’re in any doubt, ask your physician for their recommendation on which method you should use, but here’s the information for you.
Actemra Infusion
The Actemra infusion is given intravenously (into a vein) and typically takes about an hour to administer and is given within a healthcare setting, such as a doctor’s office or clinic.
The usual dosage is 8 mg per kg of body weight, and the infusion is typically given every 4 weeks.
| Dosage | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 8 mg per kg of body weight | Every 4 weeks |
Actemra infusions are generally well-tolerated, but some common side effects include headache, nausea, and infusion-related reactions such as redness or pain at the infusion site.
Actemra Injection
The Actemra injection, on the other hand, is a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection that can be given at home by a healthcare provider or by the patient themselves.
The dosage for the injection is 162 mg, which is given every two weeks. The most common side effects are injection site reactions such as redness, itching, or pain.
| Dosage | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 162 mg | Every 2 weeks |
Actemra infusion vs injection: Advantages of infusions
One advantage of the infusion is that it can be adjusted more easily.
For example, if a patient’s symptoms do not improve or if they experience serious side effects, the healthcare provider can adjust the dosage or frequency of the infusion as needed.
In contrast, the dosage for the injection is fixed, and if a patient’s symptoms do not improve, their healthcare provider would need to consider switching to a different medication.
Another advantage of the infusion is that it’s typically administered within a healthcare setting, which means that patients can receive closer monitoring and supervision.
This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have other health conditions or who are at risk of complications.
In contrast, the Actemra injection can be given at home, which may be more convenient for some people, particularly those with mobility issues.
But it also means that patients must be more responsible for monitoring their own symptoms and side effects.
Now let’s take a look at the advantages of Actemra injections.
Actemra infusion vs injection: Advantages of injections
A benefit of the Actemra injection is that it can be given more regularly; so every two weeks as opposed to 4 weeks for the infusion.
This can be more convenient for patients as it does not require as many trips to the clinic for treatment.
On the other hand, some people may find the injection to be more painful or uncomfortable than the infusion, particularly if they need to give themselves the injections at home.
Additionally, people who have difficulty with fine motor skills or who are otherwise unable to self-inject may prefer the infusion.
When considering which form of Actemra is best for a particular individual, healthcare providers will take into account a variety of factors, including the patient’s overall health, other medications they are taking, and their preferences.
In general, the infusion may be a better option for individuals who have other health conditions or who are at risk of complications, while the injection may be a better option for individuals who have difficulty with fine motor skills or who prefer the convenience of self-administration.
Factors influencing Actemra healthcare decisions
In addition to the pros and cons outlined above, there are other factors that may influence a healthcare provider’s decision to prescribe one form of Actemra over the other.
One of these factors is cost. In some cases, the cost of the infusion may be higher than the cost of the injection.
This may be particularly relevant for individuals who have high out-of-pocket costs for their medications, or for those who have insurance plans that have lower coverage for infusions than for injections.
Our aim at Prescriptiohope is to remove the burden of high costs for medications by helping you navigate the route to Patient Assistance Programs.
Below is a typical cost comparison for Actemra with the average cost.
| Actemra Infusion 20ml | Cost | Actemra Injection 4ml | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drugs.com | $2,672.91** | Drugs.com | $542.18** |
| Prescription Hope | $60.00* | Prescription Hope | $60.00* |
** Subject to pricing fluctuations
* Subject to simple enrollment application.
Yes, that is correct, it could be just $60.00 per medication through Prescription Hope’s medication access service. So fill in our simple enrollment form while you’re here.
Medication Regimen
Another factor that may influence the choice of Actemra infusion vs injection form that a patient may choose is the patient’s ability to comply with the medication regimen.
The infusion requires a visit to a healthcare setting every 4 weeks, which, of course, may be difficult for some individuals to manage …particularly those who live in rural areas or have transportation issues.
On the other hand, the injection can be administered at home, which may be more convenient for some people, but it requires more self-discipline and adherence.
People who have difficulty remembering to take their medication or who have difficulty administering injections to themselves may prefer the infusion.
Treatment effectiveness
Another aspect that can be considered is the effectiveness of the overall treatment.
For example, some studies have suggested that the infusion may be more effective than the injection in specific subgroups of patients, such as those with high disease activity or those who have not responded to other treatments. However, these results are not conclusive. More studies are needed to confirm these findings in a wider variety of groups.
It is also worth noting that some people may experience side effects from one form of Actemra but not the other.
For example, some people may experience infusion-related reactions such as redness or pain at the infusion site, while others may experience injection-site reactions such as redness, itching, or pain.
If a person experiences side effects from one form of Actemra, their healthcare provider may consider switching them to the other form.
Another aspect of Actemra infusion vs injection to consider is the duration of the treatment.
Treatment duration
As we mentioned above, an Actemra injection is given every two weeks …while the infusion is given every four weeks.
This means that a patient taking the injection will need to administer twice as many injections as those receiving the infusion.
In some cases, the choice of the Actemra infusion vs injection may be determined by the healthcare provider’s own experience and comfort level with administering one form versus the other.
For example, some providers may have more experience with infusions, while others may have more experience with injections.
Additionally, some healthcare providers may feel more comfortable adjusting the dosage or frequency of an infusion, while others may prefer the fixed dosage of the injection.
Actemra Infusion vs Injection – To summarize
Actemra is a medication that is available in both infusion and injection forms.
Both forms have been shown to be effective in treating the conditions for which they are approved, but there are some differences between the two forms – that may make one form a better option for certain individuals.
Factors such as cost, compliance, effectiveness, side effects, duration of treatment, and healthcare providers’ comfort level with administering the medication should be considered when choosing which form of Actemra to use.
Ultimately, of course, the choice of Actemra infusion vs injection should be tailored to your specific needs, preferences, and medical condition.
It is important for the patient to have an open and honest conversation with their healthcare provider about which form of Actemra would be the best fit for them.
If you need Actemra, then you should look to purchase it at the lowest price available.
